Spicy Peanut Brittle Candy

In Thailand we have a type of peanut brittle candy, known as ถั่วตัด Thua Tat. It's very similar to the western kind but we usually make it with sesame seeds and peanuts. This recipe is my own creation based on a popular packaged snack food sold here that is made from peanuts and flavored with Tom Yum spices. My candy is kind of like peanut brittle, so it's very sweet with coconut sugar, but also has chili, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, garlic, lime, and tamarind flavors.

Yield: 3 - 4 cups

Prep time: 30 Minutes

Cooking time: 15 Minutes

Ready in: 45 Minutes + 3 Hrs Cooling Time

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups Roasted and Salted Peanuts
1 Cup Coconut Sugar
1 Tablespoon Galangal Root
1 Tablespoon Lemongrass
1 Tablespoon Garlic
1 - 2 Tablespoons Kaffir Lime leaves
8 Sun Dried Thai Chilies
1 teaspoon Tamarind Paste
1 Lime
1/4 teaspoon Salt

Basic Directions:

1) Grind the lemongrass, garlic, and galangal root into a rough paste. Cut the kaffir lime leaves into strips. Cut the chilies and remove the seeds, then chop into irregular small pieces.

2) Fry the herbs slowly in a small frying pan until crispy.

3) Heat the sugar with some water until smooth and boiling. Add salt and tamarind paste. Heat until the sugar cracks in cold water, then stir in the peanuts and herbs. Stir well until very hot again.

4) Pour the candy onto a prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with fresh lime juice. Allow to cool completely before breaking into small pieces for serving.